Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The current show at Renaissance City Theatre the producing entity of Granite Theatre is “Annie”, the 1977 hit musical. Based on Harold Gray’s comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”, it won seven Tony Awards and ran for 2,377 performances. This high energy show is a hit again with this audience. This heart warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from a hard knock orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks. It has insightful direction by David Jepson, topnotch musical direction by Stephan Decesare and wonderful choreography by Chris Mahn. This show is what is needed in today’s society, a brighter future and the optimism of the title character.
David blocks the show wonderfully, creating picture postcard moments. Stephen taught the cast their musical numbers while playing lead keyboards and also conducts a three piece orchestra. The outstanding dance numbers are the servants dances, “Easy Street”, the kids “Smile” dance and “Hard Knock Life.” 10 year old Scarlett Colby Stanley tackles the iconic role of Annie and comes up a winner. Her strong voice and acting ability is witnessed all night long. Her pretty voice is heard in “Maybe”, “Tomorrow”, “NYC”, the two servant songs and in the duet “I Don’t Need Anything.” She handles the comic moments wonderfully and makes you choke up on the poignant ones where she tugs on your heartstrings. Bobbi Doherty, another terrific little actress plays Annie at alternating performances. Jane Mandes is fabulous as the heavy drinking, harridan, Miss Hannigan who mistreats the orphans while swilling down her “medicine.” She stops the show with her “Little Girls” number. Jane transforms herself into this frumpy, comic woman. This proves that she is a versatile actress who can play any kind of a role given her.
Michael Thurber plays Daddy Warbucks wonderfully. Michael gives the role some topnotch comic touches but it is his dramatic turn when he realizes that he must adopt Annie that is very poignant and moving. His transition from hard boiled executive to caring adoptive parent is handled splendidly. His voice sells his numbers including “NYC” when he and Grace show Annie the sights of the Big Apple, the touching, poignant ballad “Something Is Missing” when he realizes Annie is a wonderful addition to his life and the joyous duet with Scarlet called “I Don’t Need Anything” with their terrific steps to it. Ali Mitchell, a pretty blonde plays Grace and shows how much she cares for Annie as this tender hearted, compassionate woman. Her soprano voice is heard in “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here”, “NYC”, “You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long”, “Annie” and “We Need a New Deal for Christmas” with Michael and Scarlet.
Playing the villains of the show are Keith Brayne as Rooster and Erin Sousa Stanley as Lily St. Regis. He portrays this slimy, sleazy guy wonderfully. Erin uses a Betty Boop type voice as the not to bright bimbo and does a fantastic job. They are also hilarious as the Mudges, the phony parents of Annie. Keith and Erin display their voices and dancing skills in the show stopping “Easy Street” with Jane. Erin also leads the Hooverville number and is the real life mother of Scarlet who plays Annie. I first reviewed Erin as Ginny in “Catch a Falling Star” in 2000 at the Newport Playhouse where she played a dramatic role with the ease that she portrays comic ones.
The singing and dancing orphans in the show are terrific, too. They display their skills in “Hard Knock Life”, “Never Fully Dressed” and “New Deal for Christmas.” These talented girls are 10 year old Natalie Francese as the youngest, Molly, (who steals many a scene with her fabulous voice and comic timing of her one liners) Harper Rodman as Tessie, Eliza Dufour as July, Sydney Nunes as Duffy, Kathryn Bootle as Pepper while Kendyll Gaccione alternates as Pepper and Kate Rocchio as Kate. A couple of other standout performers are Rick Bagley as FDR and Jim Doherty as Harold Ickes who shines as he is transformed from a grouch into a nicer person by Annie in the “Tomorrow” number in Act 2. Jim also does a great turn as Bert Healy in the Smile number, too. My favorite song in the show is “We’d Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover” done by the chorus. This show brings back memories for me, having directed it back in 1995. So for a musical that will lift your spirits in these trying times, be sure to catch “Annie” on its 41st Anniversary at Renaissance City Theatre in Westerly.
ANNIE (23 November to 23 December)
Renaissance City Theatre, Granite Theatre, 1 Granite Street, Westerly, RI
1(401)596-2341or www.granitetheatre.com
